Exciting Career AHEAD

How did you get into Tamil films?
During Ishqiya,my first Hindi film,I was holidaying with family in Chennai. Thats when I met director Shankar Dayal who was planning to introduce Atharva in his maiden venture Aanandham Aarambam. We got along well and he offered me a significant role that I took up,never realising that it would be the beginning of an interesting new chapter in my life. Unfortunately,the movie didnt get completed.

But during the shoot I read about Cherans quest for a woman to play his wife in Pokkisham. I was told that despite being a cameo,it was important to the story. It was the role of a woman of the sixties! The dormant actor in me woke up to the irresistible challenge of playing a woman twice my age and I requested Cheran to audition me. It is totally to his credit that he could look beyond my obviously urban personality and visualise me as a soft-spoken Tamil mother.

After several make-up and body language sessions,I emerged looking,talking and walking totally different from my real personality. Many have wondered what prompted me to take up a role of an old woman in my first appearance in the Tamil industry,but how many new artistes have had the opportunity to be mentored by a director like Cheran and to be done up by the make-up team that worked with Kamal Haasan on Dasavatharam? Make-up would take five hours everyday,but because of the weather conditions,we could never shoot for more than two hours!

But I will forever treasure the wealth of knowledge the pokkisham that Cheran shared with me…

And then?
And then nothing happened… I got a few calls from people wanting me to play similar roles but I was not willing to be typecast. I am in the industry for the love of cinema,to grow as an actor. So I waited and then Vamsam happened. Cheran wanted me to meet his friend Pandiraj who was making a film based on a rural subject. I was a bit apprehensive; how could I,a Delhi and Mumbai-bred navy wife,used to the ad world and city life,do justice to the role of Meenakshi,a peace-loving village woman,teaching in a local school in the interiors of Puthukkottai? I was delighted when I was told that there is a flashback sequence where I get to play a girl in her twenties! What a break for someone who was getting only offers to play older woman! Here I was getting to play a woman a decade younger! As a mother to a five-year old,based out of Delhi,I was torn between the role of a lifetime and my familial responsibilities,but thanks to my family, especially my husband,I was able to live a dream.

How was the experience of shooting for Vamsam?
It took a lot of hard work. I would have to wear a foam padding and wig for the older version and shoot in the scorching heat of 45 degrees. I also fainted a couple of times. Being away from my baby for the first time also took its toll on me. We were shooting in the interiors and I was the only woman on the sets but seeing the dedication and hard work of the crew,I would bounce back. Pandiraj and his team were always a source of inspiration, their tireless efforts would goad me to perform better.

Despite being a Tamilian by birth,my knowledge of the spoken language was limited,having lived in North India all my life. Thanks to Pandi-sir and co-director Chaplin,I learnt my lines to perfection. Although I was unable to do my dubbing due to date issues,I took extra efforts to ensure that my lip-sync would be perfect.

What kind of a rapport did you share with your co-stars?
Arulnidhi was a joy to work with 8211; always cheerful despite the trying circumstances. JP is an inspiration,like me,he is also a newcomer in the acting field and he too believes that there is no age for learning! His enthusiasm is infectious.When I was first told I would be paired opposite Kishore,I was petrified. How could I possibly match up to his stature and talent? But I was pleasantly surprised to meet him! He is one of the nicest human beings I have met. He didnt make me feel even once that I was acting with such a big star. When people compliment me on the flashback portion of the film,I silently thank Kishore for creating a comfortable work atmosphere.

What next?
I am now looking forward to Thenappans Ayyanar,a story about a sons deep love for his mother. Aadhi is the hero and the film is directed by Rajamithran. Also in the pipeline is Aadu Puli,where I am paired with Prabhu. It is a feel-good musical directed by Vijay Prakash for producer Rayappa.

What are your plans for the future?
Im looking forward to diverse roles. Im also hoping to portray an urban character in my real age group soon.